Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend in Honolulu: May 5–May 8

Lei Chic’s guide to the weekend’s best events.

Shop: Mom-Up Shop

Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Hey, procrastinators. We’re totally not here to yell at you, but since we both know that you’ll be waiting until this weekend to figure out Mom’s Mother’s Day present, you should probably mark the Mom-Up Shop on your calendar. This Cookspace Hawai‘i event will feature artists and businesses from around the island, and they’ve all got something that mommas would love to get on their special day. Pick her up a slick, industrial piece of jewelry from 33Ms Designs, or shop Jana Lam’s new monstera collection. Hawai‘i Calligraphy will also be onsite with workshops for how to craft the perfect, handmade paper flower bouquet. And Mom will never even have to know you did it all last minute.
Ward Village Shops. Call 695-2205 for more information.

Attend: Hawai‘i Pet Expo

Saturday, May 7 and Monday, May 8, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

We don’t need a special week to celebrate puppies and kittens—but it certainly doesn’t hurt. In  celebration of both National Pet Week and Be Kind to Animals Week, the Hawai‘i Veterinary Medical Association is presenting the Hawai‘i Pet Expo, which has a seriously cute theme: “Pets at Play Brighten Your Day.” The expo is all about encouraging responsible pet ownership and strengthening the unique bond between people and their pets through educational displays, live animal demonstrations and the latest in pet products and services. Obviously, you can bring your pets!
Neal Blaisdell Center. Dogs must be leashed and pets must be in good health and under their owner’s control at all times.

Attend: May Day Lei Competition

Saturday, May 7, 2–7 p.m.

Missing lei day already? You’re in luck, because it’s still May Day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Stop by the Hukilau Marketplace for the Center’s annual May Day Lei Competition, which will feature games, entertainment and great food, along with the opportunity to buy lei that are entered into the competition at our silent auction. Guests can also experience lei making for themselves at a special workshop and check out Hawaiian quilting and ʻukulele demonstrations. And don’t forget the main attraction: the lei! The awards ceremony will name the lei-making winners at 6:30 p.m.
Hukilau Marketplace, Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Lāʻie

View: T Galleria’s “The Eddie” Exhibit

Saturday, May 7, 7–9 p.m.

The Eddie may be long over, but the surf’s still up at T Galleria by DFS, Hawai‘i. In partnership with Hawai'i’s leading big-wave surf photographer, Zak Noyle, the luxe shopping mall is presenting an exclusive gallery exhibition showcasing never-before-seen images from the 31st Annual Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. The free gallery, located on the ground floor of T Galleria, is on exhibit now through August 31. To officially celebrate the gallery launch, Zak Noyle and international pro surfers from the 2016 Eddie, including Clyde Aikau, will make an in-store appearance to personally sign artwork and meet fans. Proceeds from the art purchased that evening will benefit the Eddie Aikau Foundation.
330 Royal Hawaiian Ave.

Eat: The Nook Mother’s Day Take-Out

Pick-up times are Saturday, May 6, 7–9 a.m. or 5–10 p.m., and Sunday, May 8, 7–10 a.m.

Sure, Mother’s Day is all about love and family, but it’s also all about booked reservations, ultra crowded brunches and sky-high prix-fixe menus. We say skip it. The Nook is offering a pretty darn cute alternative, with breakfast-in-bed gift baskets and to-go waffle bars that you can preorder, pick up and take to a park, beach or your own serene, uncrowded home. Basket highlights include fresh strawberry scones with liliko‘i glaze, ham and cheese empanadas, yogurt parfaits, Waialua roast coffee, tropical tea, and more. The waffle bar (our pick!) is also pretty sweet—literally. The Nook’s famous Belgian-style mochi waffles are packed up for you, with toppings that include condensed milk whipped cream, papaya ginger topping, apple pie crumble, and more. Prices are: $40 for a waffles bar for two or three people, and $75 for a basket for two or three people.
1035 University Ave. You must preorder your gift basket or waffle bar. Email the nookhi@gmail.com to reserve yours now.

Shop: Sarah Janks Trunk Show at Love and Lace

Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8

The blooms are blooming and the sun is shining—yep, it’s spring. That also means it’s wedding season (cue church bells), which means our feeds are about to be inundated with the most  beautiful, fairy-tale-esque gowns that us girls have been dreaming about since we were tots. One of the newest and chicest bridal boutiques in town, Love and Lace, is getting us even more excited, with the first-ever trunk show for stylish bridal line, Sarah Janks. We’re are totally in love with this brand’s lace sleeves, tactile flower details and floaty, sheer skirts fit for a goddess. Forget the groom—can we just marry the dress?
1127 Bethel St. Appointments required. Call 230-3794 to schedule today. Prices range from $2,800 to $4,500.